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For many of us, we’re not here because we want to be. And more often than not we’ve had a painful journey to get here.
The world of IVF can seem like a minefield, but we believe that with the right knowledge and support you will be better equipped to make the right decisions for your fertility journey.
This network has been created for you by IVF & fertility experts to support you on this very special path to parenthood. We’re in this together.
Become a member to unlock over 60 hours of broadcast material from the best brains in the industry, with more coming out every month!
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Panellist: Dr Chris Guyer, Consultant, TFP Wessex Fertility
Panellist: Phoebe Babbington, Deputy Laboratory Manager, Care Fertility Manager
Starting your fertility journey can be extremely overwhelming and many people do not know where to start when starting to look at options, clinics, procedures, diagnostics. In this session our experts will give practical, helpful and supportive advice on Where to Start, including what diagnostic test to consider.
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Panellist: Jonathan Ramsay, Male Fertility Specialist
Jonathan Ramsay is a urologist who specialises exclusively in the diagnosis and treatment of sub fertile and infertile men. His approach is to treat the man to improve chances of natural and assisted fertility outcomes. As part of Men’s Health Week Mr Ramsay joins us to share his expertise and advice on male fertility.
Chair: Laura-Rose Thorogood, Founder, LGBT Mummies
Panellist: Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic
To celebrate Pride month we are delighted to be joined by Laura-Rose Thorogood and Carole Gilling-Smith who will share with us their expert advice on the various pathways available for LGBTQI+ families and what fertility options and treatment processes are available. They will consider what are the barriers & implications that impact your journey to parenthood for LGBTQ+ people and look at legal considerations.
Donor Conception Awareness: Truth and Transparency
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Panellist: Laura-Rose Thorogood, Founder, LGBT Mummies
To celebrate Donor Conception Awareness Day we are delighted to be joined by Laura-Rose Thorogood, Founder, LGBT Mummies. Laura-Rose will share her own donor conception journey with us and discuss key considerations before embarking on donor conception including; Why it is important to talk about donor conception before trying to conceive as a person/couple/co parent; Legal implications to consider; Choosing a donor; Talking to your children about donor conception.
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Panellist: Amanda Tozer, Gynaecologist & Reproductive Medicine Specialist, Aria Fertility
Panellist: Adrian Lower FRCOG
Endometriosis does not necessarily cause infertility but there is an association with fertility problems, although the cause is not fully established. In this session our leading experts will discuss why endometriosis can cause fertility problems and what treatments can help with getting pregnant if endometriosis is causing fertility problems.
We are delighted to be joined by leading experts Amanda Tozer, Gynaecologist & Reproductive Medicine Specialist at Aria Fertility and Adrian Lower, a highly respected and experienced gynaecologist who has specialised in the field of Reproductive Medicine for the past 30 years
Amanda Tozer is a consultant gynaecologist and sub-specialist in reproductive medicine at Aria Fertility, in Central London. Amanda has spent more than 20 years assisting couples experiencing infertility and trouble conceiving (subfertility). She is incredibly knowledgeable in all aspects of fertility and provides a wide range of services for assisted conception and fertility preservation, including egg freezing, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and genetic testing.
Adrian Lower is widely recognised as one of the best fertility specialists in London and in addition to providing a bespoke assisted conception service he is a highly accomplished reproductive surgeon with particular expertise in the treatment uterine fibroids and Asherman’s syndrome. He is also highly experienced in gynaecological ultrasound scanning and is able to offer same day scans using a state-of-the-art 3D ultrasound scanner in his office.
DATE: Wednesday 22nd March
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Panellist: Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic
Panellist: Vanessa Tucker, Nutritional Consultant, Wild Nutrition
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a very common condition affecting the function of a woman’s ovaries and can lead to difficulty getting pregnant, but the good news is that it's treatable. Our leading experts will discuss what PCOS is, the symptoms and causes, and what treatment there is for PCOS if you are trying to conceive. We will also discuss the nutrients, supplements and herbs that can support PCOS and fertility.
We are delighted to be joined by leading experts Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic and Vanessa Tucker of Wild Nutrition.
Carole Gilling-Smith graduated in Medicine from Cambridge in 1984 and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG). Over her career she has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in the field of reproductive medicine and infertility.
Carole was awarded a Medical Research Council Training Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine in 1990 and completed her PhD thesis on the genetics of polycystic ovary syndrome whilst working as a Clinical Fellow in Reproductive Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital in London. She pursued further research there on pelvic pain and recurrent miscarriage as a Clinical Lecturer and Senior Registrar before being appointed Director of the Chelsea & Westminster Assisted Conception Unit in 2000. There she developed the UK’s first fertility programme for HIV infected patients and remains a national and international expert on the management of patients with viral illness who are trying to conceive safely.
With more than 14 years experience in women’s health, Vanessa Tucker is a registered naturopathic nutrition consultant, with a BSc (Hons) in Health Science in Complementary Medicine, and diplomas in Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine. Vanessa has particular expertise in PCOS, reproductive health, metabolic and glycemic control and thyroid health. Vanessa’s herbal medicine training has provided her with a deep understanding of plant biochemistry and the clinical benefits for PCOS and reproductive health. Vanessa is a nutrition consultant for Wild Nutrition’s online consultation services and frequently asked to comment on PCOS and reproductive health in the press.
To celebrate the national day for girls and women in science day we are delighted that Emma Whitney, Laboratory Manager, The Evewell Clinic has joined us to share her career journey.
Emma Whitney is the laboratory manager at The Evewell Clinic in London. Emma is also aka @emmatheembryologist on Instagram.
With nearly 20 years of practical IVF laboratory experience, Emma specialises in pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos with a passion to prevent the transmission of inherited genetic disease and enhancing the capabilities of embryo selection.
Emma’s commitment to genetics, coupled with her multitude of experiences - allows for a pragmatic and honest approach when discussing embryology.
Emma believes IVF patients should have the opportunity to understand what goes on in an IVF laboratory. Her goal is to help patients alleviate some of the stress and anxiety caused by so many unknowns.
As we enter the new year when many of us begin to look at our health and nutrition we are delighted to be joined by Mel Brown, Nutritional Therapist, Specialist in Fertility, IVF and Pregnancy. The session discusses the most important things to consider with nutrition and how it can make a difference. We look at when you should start your fertility nutrition journey, the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, supplements and, other things outside of nutrition to consider such as mental health/fitness, to do in line with a nutrition plan.
Melanie Brown specialises in pre conceptual and pregnancy nutrition, and helping you to prepare for pregnancy. Mel’s two decades of experience working with doctors, gynaecologists, urologists, midwives and IVF specialists has given me a unique insight into the process of fertility treatment, and an understanding and empathy of how being unable to conceive affects the whole of your life. She is not a hard core kill joy; she enjoys wine, chocolate, roast potatoes and croissants. She wants client to feel that they are adding good things to their diet, not taking them away and generally making life a misery! She believes that by giving clients a rationale, so they can understand why some things are not so great for you, this makes it much easier to adapt to new, healthier habits.
Chair: Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor & Adviser
Speaker: Melanie Brown, Nutritional Therapist, Specialist in Fertility, IVF and Pregnancy
A cancer diagnosis of any kind is a traumatic experience. Although fertility normally isn’t the initial concern, it is increasingly an important consideration; particularly since life expectancy post cancer diagnosis has significantly increased.
Some cancer treatments will impact short and long term fertility; either due to toxicity of chemotherapy or removal of ovaries (to reduce oestrogen). Male fertility may also be impacted by cancer treatments
This discussion, with leading Gynaecologist, Miss Sara Matthews & Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor, will provide invaluable information to those facing cancer treatment who have yet to conceive or may want to extend their family post cancer treatment.
We are privileged to be joined by Sara Matthews. Miss Matthews has one of the broadest experiences of all consultants in the UK in the field of Fertility Medicine, having worked in a number of the largest, most established and highly regarded fertility units in the country. She is now based solely at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children in London, where she has had her own very successful independent practice since 2008.
Giving you the opportunity to ask top fertility experts your burning questions.
Become a member to join next session.
Tuesday 20th June 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Virtual Live Session
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Leading Expert: Sara J Matthews, Gynaecology and Fertility Consultant
For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert Sara J Matthews. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists.
Sara J Matthews has one of the broadest experiences of all consultants in the UK in the field of Fertility Medicine, having worked in a number of the largest, most established and highly regarded fertility units in the country.
Miss Matthews trained with Sir Robert Winston at the Hammersmith hospital in London, then in Leeds at the General infirmary and St James University teaching hospitals, where she did her Masters degree. RCOG subspecialty training in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery followed at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge. Miss Matthews was an undergraduate tutor for several Cambridge colleges, and continued her IVF training at the famous Bourn hall clinic.
Subsequent consultant positions include clinics in both the NHS and private sectors: ISIS fertility clinic (now Bourn Hall) in Colchester, The Bridge Centre in London, The London Fertility Clinic, and CRM London (now CARE London).
Miss Matthews became the youngest Medical Director of an IVF unit in the UK when she was appointed at the Homerton Foundation University NHS Hospital Trust in London in 2005.
She is now based solely at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children in London, where she has had her own very successful independent practice since 2008.
Miss Matthews is a senior gynaecologist as well as a fertility specialist. She trained in psychiatry and genitourinary medicine, holds the MSSVD certificate for the management of STIs, and is a qualified Forensic Medical Officer (trained in the assessment and care of victims of sexual assault). She is an advanced laparoscopic surgeon (MAS level 2), and certified aesthetic gynaecologist.
A number of TV and radio programmes, and national women’s magazine articles have included Miss Matthews over the years, and she made headline news worldwide last year as the doctor responsible for the first woman to have a baby using transplanted ovarian tissue that had been frozen before puberty. She continues to be involved in cutting edge research in this exciting area of fertility preservation.
Ongoing research projects at the clinic include the use of poppy seed oil infusions (lipiodal) to improve implantation for women having IVF, and the efficacy of radio frequency treatment (ThermiVa) to treat vaginal dryness in women with breast cancer on Tamoxifen.
For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert Ed Coats. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. Ed Coats will share his advice on Fertility over 40.
There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Ed Coats.
Friday 31st March
Chair: Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor & Advisor
Leading Specialist: Andrew Flower PhD, Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine, Teacher at White Crane Academy
We are delighted to be joined by leading Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine expert, Andrew Flower who will share his expertise on how Chinese Herbal Medicine can support those with Endometriosis.
Andrew Flower has been practising acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) since 1992. On graduating he gained a wide range of experience working in private practice, and within the UK National Health Service and voluntary sector working with people with HIV/AIDS and with drug and alcohol addictions.
He is a past President of the UK Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine and has advised the European Herbal Traditional Practitioners Association on developing research strategies in Europe.
In 2009 Andrew completed his PhD at The University of Southampton exploring the role of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of endometriosis.
He has published a number of peer-reviewed papers relating to Chinese medicine research, including two Cochrane systematic reviews.
He co-ordinated an EU project that prepared guidelines to improve the quality of clinical trials into Chinese medicine.
In 2011 he was awarded a 5 year NIHR Post doctoral Fellowship to investigate Chinese herbs for the treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIs) that has resulted in the RUTI trial that started recruiting in Feb 2016.
He has a special interest in providing supportive treatment for people with cancer.
He is a Founding member of the White Crane Academy of CHM and is passionate about the therapeutic potential of herbal medicines and the importance of rigorous training to ensure this potential is realised.
Monday 20th March 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Virtual Live Session
Chair: Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor & Advisor
Leading Specialist: Dr Simone Rofena, Medical Director, Zita West
For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Dr Simone Rofena. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. Dr Rofena will share his expertise on implantation failure. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Dr Rofena not just on implantation failure but any questions you have for him on your fertility journey.
''Working in medicine, you can live a life focused on the sadder side of human existence, such as death and illness. I’ve always felt incredibly lucky that I chose, some 20 years ago, to focus on fertility and IVF, as I work in the side of medicine that is about life.
Since I started working in IVF, there haven’t been that many major breakthroughs scientifically. Drugs and techniques have improved but there hasn’t been anything radical that has shaken up the industry.'' - Dr Simone Rofena
Wednesday 15th March 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Virtual Live Session
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Leading Specialist: Professor Charles Kingsland, Clinical Director, CARE Fertility
For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Professor Charles Kingsland. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. Professor Charles Kingsland will share advice and support from his 40 years experience in fertility. There will be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Professor Charles Kingsland.
After fertility training in Cambridge and London in the late 1980s, Charles Kingsland founded the Hewitt Fertility Centre in Liverpool with the aim of providing the highest quality NHS service within the United Kingdom.
Charles has become one of the world’s outstanding fertility specialists. As media spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Charles appears regularly on Television and Radio programmes and is in high demand as a public speaker. A BBC documentary of his work in Liverpool was broadcast in 2014.
Wednesday 1st March, 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Virtual Live Session
Leading Specialist: Stuart Lavery MBBCh MSc MRCOG, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Honorary Associate Professor UCLH, Aria Women’s Health
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
For this weeks Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Mr Stuart Lavery. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. Stuart Lavery will share his expertise on preimplantation genetic testing. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Mr Lavery not just on preimplantation genetic testing but any questions you have for him on your fertility journey.
Stuart Lavery is a leading London-based consultant in gynaecology, reproductive medicine, and surgery at the Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s Hospitals in London. Stuart Lavery leads the Preimplantation Genetic Testing team and the Fertility Preservation Service.
Stuart was a founding partner of The Fertility Partnership, the largest provider of assisted conception services in the UK, with eleven clinics.
Join us here: https://www.theivfnetwork.com/ivf-network-members/live
Tuesday 21st February, 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Virtual Live Session
Leading Specialist: Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic
Chair: Michael Johnson-Ellis, Founder, Two Dads UK
For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Carole Gilling-Smith, CEO, Founder & Medical Director, The Agora Clinic. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. Carole Gilling-Smith will discuss The journey to parenthood for LGBTQ+ people. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Carole Gilling-Smith on your fertility journey.
For this months Talk to the Expert we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, James Nicopoullos. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists. James Nicopoullos will share his expertise on Male Infertility. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Mr Nicopoullos not just on male infertility but any questions you have for him on your fertility journey.
James Nicopoullos joined The Lister Fertility clinic in 2008. He graduated from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in 1996, before training predominantly in London. Through this time, he trained under a number of eminent consultants specialising in reproductive medicine that fuelled his interest in the field. He undertook an MD research thesis in “the effect of sperm aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation on ICSI outcome” at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, where he also completed his subspecialist training in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery.
Talk to the Expert with Dr Lynne Chapman
Wednesday 11th January
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Leading Specialist: Dr Lynne Chapman, Reproductive Medicine Consultant
For the first of our Talk to the Expert series for 2023 we were delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Dr Lynne Chapman. Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists.
Dr Chapman will share her expertise on a wide range of fertility topics including IUI, previously failed IVF cycles, low ovarian reserves and recurrent pregnancy loss. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Dr Chapman on your fertility journey.
Throughout her career, Reproductive Medicine Consultant Dr Lynne Chapman, MBBS BSc (Neuro) MRCOG, has been at the forefront of assisted conception and fertility science.
During that time, she has guided thousands of couples and families on their journey to conception with IVF, egg freezing, sperm and egg donor services, and fertility therapies.
She works in collaboration with leading laboratories and multidisciplinary teams including andrology, surgery, medical and obstetrics experts to provide outstanding personal and clinical care at every step of the journey.
Lynne is also proud to work with some of the UK’s foremost providers of complementary fertility therapies including dieticians, acupuncturists, counsellors and more.
Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists.
Expert Emma Roberts will share her expertise on EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and how it can support you on your fertility journey. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to Emma.
EXPERT : Emma Roberts, EFT Founding Master and Master Trainer, Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP Master Practitioner, co-founder of The EFT Centre
CHAIR : Emma Cannon, Fertility Mentor & Advisor
Talk to the Expert: Implantation with James Nicopoullos, Clinical Director and “Person Responsible”, The Lister Clinic Thursday 22nd September
Chair: Charlotte Gentry, Founder, The IVF Network
Leading Specialist: James Nicopoullos - Clinical Director and “Person Responsible”, The Lister Clinic
In the first of our Talk to the Expert series we are delighted to be joined by leading fertility expert, Mr James Nicopoullos, Clinical Director and “Person Responsible”, The Lister Clinic.
Our Talk to the Expert sessions are a fantastic opportunity to ask your questions directly to our leading fertility specialists.
James Nicopoullos will share his expertise on Implantation, what the process involves and how to improve your chances of implantation. There will then be plenty of time for you to ask your questions to James not just on implantation but any questions you have for him on your fertility journey.
"The content The IVF Network produces for anyone going through a fertility journey is exceptional. It has really helped me make some stronger choices about my next steps."
"I was attracted to the IVF network because of the high-quality content of the broadcasts. I feel this is content that I can trust, which is a relief in the world of IVF where there is so much out there if you google it, so the IVF network has helped me to cut through some of that and find resources I can rely on (and then not waste time in rounds of obsessive googling!)."
